Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-63.10

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 281-63.10 - Maximum class size

(1) Maximum class size in shelter care homes. The following maximum class size-to-staff ratio will be used in shelter care homes:

Average Daily Membership	Full-Time Teacher	Educational Aide(s)
10 or fewer	1	1 aide
More than 10 through 20	2	1 aide with more than 10 but fewer than 15 students
		2 aides with 15 through 20 students
More than 20 through 30	3	2 aides with more than 20 but fewer than 25 students
		3 aides with 25 through 30 students

(2) Maximum class size in detention homes. The class size-to-staff ratio used in detention homes will be the same as that defined in subrule 63.10(1) unless the needs of the students in the class require a lesser ratio. If the needs of students in the class require a lesser ratio, it will be no greater than the following class size-to-staff ratio:

Average Daily Membership	Full-Time Teacher	Educational Aide(s)
Fewer than 10	1	1 aide with 5 or fewer students 2 aides with more than 5 students
10 through 20	2	2 aides with fewer than 15 students 3 aides with 15 through 20 students
More than 20 through 30	3	3 aides with fewer than 25 students 4 aides with 25 through 30 students

Support for this staffing ratio is to be provided with the juvenile home budget proposals and with the juvenile home claims.

(3) When a classroom is located in an off-site facility, a full-time educational aide may be assigned for each off-site classroom in addition to the number allowed in subrule 63.10(1) or 63.10(2).

(4) The department of education may waive subrules 63.10(1), 63.10(2), and 63.10(3) if student characteristics such as the age range of students in the home or the percentage of students in the home involved in adult criminal proceedings necessitate a different class size-to-staff ratio. Any variance from the maximum prescribed class size-to-staff ratio must be approved by the department of education on an annual basis. Support for the waiver request is to be provided with the juvenile home budget proposals and with the juvenile home claims.

(5) Average daily membership for determining class size in subrules 63.10(1) to 63.10(4) for the juvenile home budget proposals is based on the actual average daily membership from the year previous to the base year, average daily membership to date in the base year, and factors known at the time of the budget proposals that would impact the average daily membership in the budget year.

(6) If the number of teachers and aides as determined in subrules 63.10(1), 63.10(2), and 63.10(3) was appropriately estimated for the juvenile home budget proposal and was approved by the department of education, and the actual number of teachers or aides is determined to be in excess of maximum class sizes based on the actual average daily membership of students on the juvenile home claims, the department of education may waive subrule 63.10(1), 63.10(2), or 63.10(3).

(7) If the educational program at any one juvenile home is provided in more than one classroom location and using multiple classroom locations results in a different number of teachers and aides than would have been allowed if the students were in one classroom, the department of education may waive subrules 63.10(1) and 63.10(2). Support for the waiver request is to be provided with the juvenile home budget proposals annually.

(8) The AEA will develop policies and procedures to monitor and ensure that the educational program is provided sufficient instructional staff.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-63.10

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024